From Friar Bacon's talking brass head to "Jules," a robotic head that can realistically mimic human facial expressions, we have a centuries old fascination with technology created in our own image. But from where does this fascination derive, and why do we find ourselves pilgrims again and again in the "uncanny valley"? Intended to introduce students to the connections between various fields of studies in the humanities, this section of HUMA 1301 will apply an interdisciplinary approach to viewpoints concerning the creation and implications of mimetic human technology: robots and androids. During this semester this theme will be discussed by examining the dialogue between myth, drama, fiction, film, and pop culture.

Handouts will be available through e-reserve and eLearning, and students are encouraged to submit video, articles, short stories, or other works related to the course theme for inclusion on eLearning. Films, such as Frankenstein, A.I., and Wall-E, and excerpts from such television shows as Star Trek: The Next Generation and The Simpsons will also be incorporated.